Harrison Ford has branded his role playing a futuristic cop in Blade Runner "a f**king nightmare." The actor admits he was initially attracted to the role as Rick Deckard in the 1982 movie, but was not keen on the voiceover narrations. Ford claims director Ridley Scott agreed to remove them for the script - but was disappointed when the spoken words made the film's final cut. He says, "When we started shooting it had been tacitly agreed that the version of the film that we had agreed upon was the version without voiceover narration. It was a f**king nightmare. I thought that the film had worked without the narration. But now I was stuck re-creating that narration. And I was obliged to do the voiceovers for people that did not represent the director's interests."

Warner Home Video announced that it will release a new cut of Ridley Scott's classic SF movie Blade Runner on DVD on Dec. 18, preceded by a brief theatrical run in Los Angeles and New York on Oct. 5. The announcement came at the beginning of Comic-Con International in San Diego, where Scott and some of the cast were scheduled to appear.

Scott did some post-production on the 1982 movie to create Blade Runner: The Final Cut, which has also been restored and remastered from original elements. The new version will feature never-before-seen added or extended scenes, added lines, new and improved special effects, director and filmmaker commentary, an all-new 5.1 Dolby Digital audio track and more, the studio said.

Blade Runner: The Final Cut will be included in three DVD editions: a two-disc special edition (with a suggested retail price of $20.97), a four-disc collector's edition ($34.99) and a five-disc ultimate collector's edition ($78.92) in a collectible "Deckard Briefcase" package. Simultaneous HD DVD and Blu-Ray versions of the "Deckard Briefcase" will also be released in numbered, limited quantities.

Among the bonus material highlights is Dangerous Days, a new, three-and-a-half-hour documentary by award-winning DVD producer Charles de Lauzirika.

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“Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” - Andy Warhol

Debuts on DVD December 18 with Exclusive New York/LA Theatrical Launch October 5

Three Spectacular Editions of Director's Long-Awaited New Version, Restored and Remastered with 5.1 Audio, New and Deleted Scenes, Special Effects and More

All 4 Previous Cuts, Including the Ultra-Rare 'Workprint' Version, Available Along with Hours of Extra Content Including Over 45 Minutes of Deleted Scenes & "Dangerous Days," the Comprehensive New Feature-Length Doc

San Diego, July 26, 2007 - The one that started it all. Sir Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, starring Harrison Ford, is one of the most important science-fiction movies of the 20th Century -- the film with immeasurable influence on society for its futuristic depiction of a post-apocalyptic, dystopian world, a film perhaps more powerful and relevant today than when it was made. The film, in fact, has appeared on more 'Top Five' sci-fi lists than any other film.

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, director Ridley Scott (Alien, Hannibal and a three-time Oscar® nominee, Best Director, for Gladiator, Thelma & Louise and Black Hawk Down) has gone back into post production to create the long-awaited definitive new version, which Warner Home Video will unveil on DVD December 18th in the U.S. Blade Runner: The Final Cut, spectacularly restored and remastered from original elements and scanned at 4K resolution, will contain never-before-seen added/extended scenes, added lines, new and improved special effects, director and filmmaker commentary, an all-new 5.1 Dolby® Digital audio track and more.

A showcase theatrical run is also being planned for New York and Los Angeles October 5.

Blade Runner: The Final Cut will be included in three stunning DVD editions: a Two-Disc Special Edition (at $20.97 SRP), a Four-Disc Collector's Edition ($34.99 SRP) and the Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition ($78.92 SRP) in Collectible "Deckard Briefcase" packaging.

Simultaneous HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc versions (each $TBD) of the "Deckard Briefcase" will also be released in numbered, limited quantities. HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc 5-Disc Digi Packs with collectible slipcase (each $TBD) will include all of the UCE content. Order due date for all editions is November 13.

Ford, Rutger Hauer, Edward James Olmos, Joanna Cassidy, Sean Young and Daryl Hannah are among some 80 stars, filmmakers and others who participate in the extensive bonus features. Among the bonus material highlights is Dangerous Days - a brand new, three-and-a-half-hour documentary by award-winning DVD producer Charles de Lauzirika, with an extensive look into every aspect of the film: its literary genesis, its challenging production and its controversial legacy. The definitive documentary to accompany the definitive film version.

Additionally, two of the collections (4- & 5-Disc) will include an entire disc with hours of enhanced content containing featurettes and galleries devoted to over 45 minutes of deleted and alternate scenes recently discovered in deep storage and approved by Ridley Scott, visual effects as well as background on author Philip K. Dick, script development, abandoned sequences, conceptual design, overall impact of the film and how it lead to the birth of cyberpunk. Trailers, TV spots and promotional featurettes will also be included.

Among some of the fascinating factoids talked about in the special features:

- Notable actual locations were used to reflect 2019 Los Angeles, such as Union Station, 2nd Street tunnel and the Bradbury building.

- The top of Police Headquarters is actually part of the Mothership from Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

- In the last scene, Rutger Hauer made the jump between buildings himself.

- In the fight scene between Daryl Hannah and Harrison Ford, Hannah pulled Ford's nose so hard that his nose actually bled afterwards.

- Holding a dove, and letting it fly away, in the last scene was never in the script, but rather Rutger Hauer's idea when filming the scene.

- Dangerous Days was originally the name of the script.

Said Sir Ridley Scott: "The Final Cut is the product of a process that began in early 2000 and continued off and on through seven years of intense research and meticulous restoration, technical challenges, amazing discoveries and new possibilities. I can now wholeheartedly say that Blade Runner: The Final Cut is my definitive director's cut of the film."

Jeff Baker, Warner Home Video Senior VP and General Manager, Theatrical Catalog and Domestic Sales, says: "25 years ago the critics said Blade Runner was ahead of its time and today it's still ahead of its time. This is clearly Ridley's signature film and we're delighted to offer these great editions to the Blade Runner fans who've been so patient, despite besieging us with thousands of annual requests in recent years for new DVDs. A number of people have told me that at the start of DVD, Blade Runner was absolutely the first title they wanted -- so much so that they purchased it even before their first DVD player! We think they'll agree that the new cut and the new editions are worth waiting for."

DETAILS OF BLADE RUNNER EDITIONS

BLADE RUNNER: THE FINAL CUT SPECIAL EDITION (2-DISC)

Disc OneRIDLEY SCOTT'S ALL-NEW "FINAL CUT" VERSION OF THE FILM

Restored and remastered with added & extended scenes, added lines, new and cleaner special effects and all new 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio. Also includes:

A feature-length authoritative documentary revealing all the elements that shaped this hugely influential cinema landmark. Cast, crew, critics and colleagues give a behind-the-scenes, in-depth look at the film -- from its literary roots and inception through casting, production, visuals and special effects to its controversial legacy and place in Hollywood history.

BLADE RUNNER: COLLECTOR'S EDITION (4-DISC)

The Four-Disc Collector's Edition includes everything from the 2-Disc Special Edition plus three additional versions of the film, as well as an "Enhancement Archive" bonus disc of enhanced content that includes 90 minutes of deleted footage and rare or never-before-seen items in featurettes and galleries that cover the film's amazing history, production teams, special effects, impact on society, promotional trailers, TV spots, and much more.

Disc Three1982 THEATRICAL VERSION

This is the version that introduced U.S. movie-going audiences to a revolutionary film with a new and excitingly provocative vision of the near-future. It contains Deckard/Harrison Ford's character narration and has Deckard and Rachel's (Sean Young) "happy ending" escape scene.

1982 INTERNATIONAL VERSION

Also used on U.S. home video, laserdisc and cable releases up to 1992. This version is not rated, and contains some extended action scenes in contrast to the Theatrical Version.

1992 DIRECTOR'S CUT

The Director's Cut omits Deckard's voiceover narration and removes the "happy ending" finale. It adds the famously-controversial "unicorn" sequence, a vision that Deckard has which suggests that he, too, may be a replicant.

The 5-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition includes everything from the previously described 4-Disc Edition, plus the ultra-rare, near-legendary WORKPRINT version of the film, newly remastered. The Ultimate Collector's Edition will be presented in a unique 5-disc digi-package with handle which is a stylish version of Rick Deckard's own briefcase, in addition each briefcase will be individually numbered and in limited supply. Included is a lenticular motion film clip from the original feature, miniature origami unicorn figurine, miniature replica spinner car, collector's photographs as well as a signed personal letter from Sir Ridley Scott.

Disc FiveWORKPRINT VERSION

This rare version of the film is considered by some to be the most radically different of all the Blade Runner cuts. It includes an altered opening scene, no Deckard narration until the final scenes, no "unicorn" sequence, no Deckard/Rachel "happy ending," altered lines between Batty (Rutger Hauer) and his creator Tyrell (Joe Turkell), alternate music and much more.

Also includes:

- Commentary by Paul M. Sammon, author of Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner- Featurette All Our Variant Futures: From Workprint to Final Cut

About Blade Runner

Blade Runner made its first appearance in U.S. theaters on June 25, 1982, dazzling audiences with its stylish, brooding look into the future. From its intelligent, provocative story line to its stunning camera work and state-of-the art special effects, the film opened the door to a new view of tomorrow in addition to prefiguring important concerns of the 21st century, such as globalization, urban decay, global warming, over-population and genetic engineering.

Set in a multi-ethnic, overcrowded, high-tech city of the future, Blade Runner was also a benchmark in costume and production design and helped spawn a new genre/lifestyle -- neo-noir cyberpunk which has flourished in today's mainstream society and is reflected in all facets of entertainment, design and fashion trends. Most recognizable is the current trend of the Harajuku district in Japan, recently popularized by Gwen Stefani.

In Blade Runner, genetically manufactured beings called "replicants" are built to do dangerous and degrading work on Earth's "Off-World colonies." Physically identical to adult humans, yet much more powerful, a group of replicants hides in Los Angeles after a bloody mutiny.

Heading the all-star cast, many in career-expanding roles, is Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard, a special police "blade runner" assigned to hunt down and kill the escapees. Also starring are Sean Young as Rachel, Deckard's replicant lover; Edward James Olmos as Gaff, a mysterious fellow policeman; Daryl Hannah as Pris and Joanna Cassidy as Zhora, two beautiful yet murderous replicants; and Rutger Hauer as Roy Batty, the replicant leader who challenges Deckard's ideas of what it is to be human.

Blade Runner was adapted from the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by acclaimed science-fiction author Philip K. Dick. Hollywood has since discovered this eclectic author in full force, and some of the films adapted from Dick's works include Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, Next, and Total Recall, among others, grossing millions of dollars worldwide. But it was Blade Runner that started it all. The film was nominated for 2 Academy Awards® -- for Best Art Direction and Best Visual Effects. Oscar®- winning composer Vangelis created the musical score.

The multiple "Top Ten" lists Blade Runner has consistently placed high on are: #1 on Wired Magazine's list, and the English Scientists/Guardian Science List made it the #1 sci-fi film of all time based on surveys with 60 scientists. It is #3 on Entertainment Weekly's "best sci-fi movies and TV shows of the past 25 years," and is also #3 on SFX Magazine's list. Blade Runner makes the top ten on the Internet Movie Database's (IMDB) list, beating out such films as Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Frankenstein, King Kong, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T.

Marketing Campaign

Blade Runner: The Final Cut Special Editions will be supported by a large-scale national media campaign that will cross over TV, print, online and viral platforms. Promotional tie-ins include a partnership with Random House and a special book version of the film with DVD mentions and artwork; and a promotion with Xbox 360 LIVE available for owners of the HD DVD version of Blade Runner, plus other promotions and partners to be announce soon.

i don't really want the briefcase, but then the workprint sounds interesting.

is there not a way to make dvd's so that you can watch a film - say if two different versions only differ by ten minutes - can you not author the dvd so if you click on something on the menu you will access the same movie but will only differ with the different scenes? clear as mud?=)

i don't really want the briefcase, but then the workprint sounds interesting.

is there not a way to make dvd's so that you can watch a film - say if two different versions only differ by ten minutes - can you not author the dvd so if you click on something on the menu you will access the same movie but will only differ with the different scenes? clear as mud?=)

i don't really want the briefcase, but then the workprint sounds interesting.

is there not a way to make dvd's so that you can watch a film - say if two different versions only differ by ten minutes - can you not author the dvd so if you click on something on the menu you will access the same movie but will only differ with the different scenes? clear as mud?=)

like seamless branching?

i don't know dvd authoring terms.let's say you have a theatrical cut and a director's cut.let's pretend we have a 90 min movie and the only difference is that the director's cut has 10 mins of deleted scenes spread throughtout the film.is it not possible to have two options on a dvd menu where you access the 90 mins of the theatrical with one option, and then the second option utilizes those same 90 mins but then knows to go to the extra 10 mins when they come up?

i don't really want the briefcase, but then the workprint sounds interesting.

is there not a way to make dvd's so that you can watch a film - say if two different versions only differ by ten minutes - can you not author the dvd so if you click on something on the menu you will access the same movie but will only differ with the different scenes? clear as mud?=)

like seamless branching?

i don't know dvd authoring terms.let's say you have a theatrical cut and a director's cut.let's pretend we have a 90 min movie and the only difference is that the director's cut has 10 mins of deleted scenes spread throughtout the film.is it not possible to have two options on a dvd menu where you access the 90 mins of the theatrical with one option, and then the second option utilizes those same 90 mins but then knows to go to the extra 10 mins when they come up?

i don't really want the briefcase, but then the workprint sounds interesting.

is there not a way to make dvd's so that you can watch a film - say if two different versions only differ by ten minutes - can you not author the dvd so if you click on something on the menu you will access the same movie but will only differ with the different scenes? clear as mud?=)

like seamless branching?

i don't know dvd authoring terms.let's say you have a theatrical cut and a director's cut.let's pretend we have a 90 min movie and the only difference is that the director's cut has 10 mins of deleted scenes spread throughtout the film.is it not possible to have two options on a dvd menu where you access the 90 mins of the theatrical with one option, and then the second option utilizes those same 90 mins but then knows to go to the extra 10 mins when they come up?

ok. so why do they not do this instead of making a totally seperate dvd for different versions? i'm guessing the sound would be mixed different as well - in the case of Blade Runner dialog/narration is in and out on different versions.

ok. so why do they not do this instead of making a totally seperate dvd for different versions? i'm guessing the sound would be mixed different as well - in the case of Blade Runner dialog/narration is in and out on different versions.

Blade Runner: The Final Cut will be included in three stunning DVD editions: a Two-Disc Special Edition (at $20.97 SRP), a Four-Disc Collector's Edition ($34.99 SRP) and the Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition ($78.92 SRP) in Collectible "Deckard Briefcase" packaging.

ok. so why do they not do this instead of making a totally seperate dvd for different versions? i'm guessing the sound would be mixed different as well - in the case of Blade Runner dialog/narration is in and out on different versions.

Blade Runner: The Final Cut will be included in three stunning DVD editions: a Two-Disc Special Edition (at $20.97 SRP), a Four-Disc Collector's Edition ($34.99 SRP) and the Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition ($78.92 SRP) in Collectible "Deckard Briefcase" packaging.

i've had the concept of seemless branching in my head a long time with other movies/dvd's, so with so many different cuts of the same film it was an opportune time to see if there was any such thing out there. sorry (genuinely) if you dislike it being brought up concerning Blade Runner, but i didn't know any other context in which to talk about it.

Ridley Scott, director of the seminal 1982 SF movie Blade Runner, told SCI FI Wire that the upcoming 25th-anniversary "final cut" DVD is a refinement of the current director's cut, with some reshoots to correct a couple of technical errors. Most notably, Scott shot new footage of Joanna Cassidy as the replicant Zhora, in her death scene as she's running through plate glass windows, to replace the existing footage in which the stunt woman is clearly visible. (Cassidy even used the original clear raincoat costume from the original film, which she had kept.)

Scott said he made the refinements, "I think, because the film is damaged." He added that he was perfectly content to leave the movie as it was, but fans and critics kept clamoring for Scott to fix the movie. "They kept coming back to me," he said. "They kept coming to me. I didn't go on the phone, whining [on] the phone, 'Oh, let me.' I get on with life and move on, but the thing kept surfacing and coming up and bumping me in the head."

The main changes to the original theatrical release were the removal of the voice-over and the happy ending, which consisted of aerial mountain shots that were outtakes from Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. But the new release will also correct the final scene, in which Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer), releases a dove. In the director's cut, the dove flies upward into a blue sky against a metal wall; the correction corrects the scene to take place at night in the rain and removes the metal wall.

Scott also trimmed down scenes that ran long once the voice-over came out. "You suddenly have shots which are too long," he said. "So some slendering." But Deckard's (Harrison Ford) dream of a unicorn remains key. "The unicorn has been in out in out, and it was always essential to me, because it's essential for the audience to understand that Deckard is a replicant," Scott said. Blade Runner: The Final Cut comes out in several editions on Dec. 18.

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“Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” - Andy Warhol